An Ohio McDonald’s faced an unexpected closure after a customer discovered a crack pipe in their breakfast order, prompting health concerns. On December 19, the incident occurred at a McDonald’s on the west side of Columbus. The customer took to Reddit to share the discovery, expressing gratitude that they were an adult and not a child opening a Happy Meal.

The customer notified the manager, who reportedly refused to take the bag back. Reddit users suggested reporting the incident to health authorities. Consequently, the complaint reached Franklin County Public Health, leading to an emergency health inspection at the restaurant.

Alex Mendoza, the franchise owner, emphasized the company’s commitment to customer and crew safety. Despite conducting a thorough internal review and finding no indication that the item originated from the restaurant, they are collaborating with local law enforcement for further investigation. The health agency temporarily closed the McDonald’s and identified health code violations, including construction work within food preparation and customer seating areas, with workers freely moving through these spaces. Observations noted debris, trash, and dust in the restaurant, with construction dust contaminating food preparation surfaces and equipment. The report mandated corrective actions by January 4.

Following necessary adjustments, the McDonald’s successfully reopened on December 21, addressing the health code violations and aiming to reassure customers of a safe dining environment.